Search Through Grants for Performing Arts in Ohio in the U.S.

Making community possible

At U.S. Bank, we are dedicated to supporting our communities through responsive and humbled actions focused on addressing racial and economic inequities and creating lasting change in our communities. Through our Community Possible Grant Program, we are partnering with organizations that focus on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing and communities connected through arts and culture.

The U.S. Bank Foundation is committed to making Community Possible through Work, Home and Play. We advance this work through collaborative grant making to bring equitable and lasting change through our focus on sustainable, high-impact funding with 501c3 nonprofit partners.

How we partner with nonprofits

We focus on collaborative grantmaking and sustainable, high-impact funding with 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners. We partner with organizations that support:

• Economic and workforce advancement
• Safe and affordable housing
• Community arts and culture

Our strategy

Our community affairs and foundation team work closely with U.S. Bank regional leadership, business resource groups and our National Community Advisory Committee to ensure that prevailing needs are addressed in all the communities we serve.

To make the most meaningful impact, we prioritize organizations that:

• Focus on economic development issues related to work, home and play
• Address more than one of the grant pillars (work, home and play)
• Are based in and serve designated U.S. Bank communities
• Advance diversity, equity and inclusion

Charitable Contributions

Costco Wholesale’s primary charitable efforts specifically focus on programs supporting children, education, and health and human services in the communities where we do business. Throughout the year we receive a large number of requests from nonprofit organizations striving to make a positive impact, and we are thankful to be able to provide support to a variety of organizations and causes. While we would like to respond favorably to all requests, understandably, the needs are far greater than our allocated resources and we are unable to accommodate them all.

Warehouse Donations:

Warehouse donations are handled at the warehouse level - please consult your local warehouse for up-to-date information regarding their donations contacts and review process.

Grant Applications

If the request is under consideration, you may be contacted by staff for any additional information needed. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, and decisions are made based on several factors, including: type of program; identified community need not otherwise available; indication that evidenced based data will establish measurable results of intended outcomes; community collaboration; broad base of financial support; project budget and operating expenses.

Our Mission

Ohio Humanities is a nonprofit organization that shares stories to spark conversations and inspire ideas. We host programs and award grants that support storytellers statewide, from museums to journalists to documentary filmmakers.

Our Purpose

The humanities tell the stories of our shared human experience, strengthen communities, and help bridge divides. Ohio Humanities seeks to connect Ohioans in ways that help them better understand each other and more thoughtfully engage with the world around them.

Our Vision

We envision an Ohio where people's unique stories are heard, the past is linked to the present, and a better future is realized together.

Grants

Since 1972, Ohio Humanities’ grant program has sparked critical public humanities work throughout our state. By funding engaging programs that center the humanities, Ohio Humanities helps inspire conversations about our state’s shared histories and cultures. Our goal is to support projects that make the humanities central to creating and sustaining vibrant communities.

We invite applications for project grants from non-profit and governmental organizations across the state. If you’re thinking of applying for an Ohio Humanities grant, check out the information below to see if we might be a good fit:

What are the humanities?

We fund projects that center the humanities. But what are the “humanities?" For us, the humanities tell the stories of our shared human experience, strengthen communities, and help bridge divides. This includes the study of history, literature, languages, philosophy, archaeology, ethics, jurisprudence, comparative religion, world cultures, folklore, and aspects of the social sciences that use historical or philosophical approaches. We also consider art history, theory, and criticism as humanities subjects, but not the creation, display, or performance of art.

What do we fund?

Ohio Humanities grants support the research, preparation, production, and presentation of public programs. The most competitive grant proposals focus on the “public” in “public humanities.” We fund projects that make the humanities widely and easily accessible to the general public, and they should offer ample opportunity for community members to engage in conversations about the humanities.

What are our funding priorities?

We prioritize funding projects that have the potential to invite all Ohioans to participate in thoughtful consideration of and engaging conversations about the humanities. The most successful applications identify how the project will foster a sense of place in attendees, encouraging robust civic engagement through humanities-driven programs. Programs will ideally create sustainable outcomes that can circulate in communities beyond the grant period. We especially invite applications that produce accessible, engaging, and challenging media, particularly documentary film and audio projects. 

Spark Grants

Spark grants provide non-profit organizations with funds to develop and produce programs that spark conversations about issues that are relevant to Ohioans today. These projects can be limited in scope, both in terms of subject matter and intended audience, but they should be designed to appeal to as broad of a public audience as possible.

Programs funded by Spark grants should focus humanities content in ways that will inspire lasting conversations around social, economic, and historical issues challenging Ohio communities, and they should encourage a sense of place and civic engagement in Ohio citizens. These grants can also be used to build capacity for larger projects that will have a wider impact.

In Our Community

Republic Bank recognizes the importance of making a lasting IMPACT, and that starts by strengthening the communities in which we live and work. We believe Republic Bank not only serves the community but is also a part of the community.

Together, we can make an impact that goes beyond banking. Bank with us, and let’s strengthen our community – together.

Generally, organizations and activities meeting the established criteria will fall into one of the following categories:

• Education and Youth Programs
• Family and Community Welfare
• Civic Projects
• Healthcare and Human Services
• Performing Arts and Cultural Activities
• Recreation and Preservation Programs

In-Kind Donations

Republic Bank occasionally donates used computer equipment, office equipment, and furniture to community organizations. 

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust is devoted solely to the funding of charitable, scientific, medical and educational organizations.

The Board endeavors to support soundly-managed charitable organizations that give service with a broad scope, have a substantial effect on their target populations, and contribute materially to the general welfare. The Board does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation or religion.

The Covington Education Foundation was established to promote general education enrichment through community grants as well as school grants.

Grants

The Covington Education Foundation provides grants for projects that promote general education enrichment in Covington, Ohio. Educational programs and activities can include the following categories:

• Academics – to promote academic achievement.
• Performing and Fine Arts – to promote excellence in music, dance, performing arts and fine arts.
• Athletics – to promote excellence in physical education, sports, recreation and activities promoting physical fitness.
• General – to promote general enrichment programs and activities.

About GIG Fund

The GIG Fund is a grant of $2,000-4,000 that supports creative projects and educational events in the Midwest. These funds help organizations present artists in their community by supporting programming and touring costs.

The GIG Fund provides flexible grants for nonprofit organizations to support programs and activities featuring professional artists. GIG Fund grants help cover fees for touring or local artists. Funds may also be used for project costs such as accessibility accommodations and marketing. We work with a panel to help us review applications and distribute grants annually.

 Illinois Arts Council 

The Illinois Arts Council serves the people of Illinois through a variety of grants and services, primarily geared to: 

Support Illinois' Arts Sector: Operating and technical support provided to organizations and programs statewide helps keep Illinois’ arts sector vital, vibrant, and accessible to all.

Advance Arts Education: The arts can be a part of the education of every single child in this state through the programs, services, partnerships, and collaborations of the Illinois Arts Council. 

Foster Creativity and Working Artists: Resources, opportunities, and direct support for the work of individual artists -- the foundation of Illinois' creative environment.

Illinois State funding for the arts includes programs offered by Arts Midwest.

About Arts Midwest

Arts Midwest advances creativity across our region, building unprecedented opportunity for everyone who calls this place home. We support, inform, and celebrate arts organizations and creative communities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, the Native Nations that share this geography, and beyond. As one of six nonprofit United States Regional Arts Organizations, we work to strengthen local arts and culture efforts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, state agencies, private funders, and many others. Together, we nourish the creative roots of the Midwest—and share our region’s transformative ideas with the world.

This year, we’re pleased to offer two tracks of funding: GIG Fund and GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness.

GIG Fund

The GIG Fund is a grant of $2,000 – $15,000 for nonprofit organizations to offer public-facing arts projects and activities in Midwestern communities.

The goal of the GIG Fund is to make arts opportunities more accessible to underserved audiences across the region. Funds may be used for performances; exhibits; arts festivals; public art, or other activities that provide Midwesterners the opportunity to experience art and creativity. This round of GIG Fund grants is for supporting activities taking place between December 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. There are three requirements:

1) Engage a Professional Artist or Ensemble 2) Offer at Least Two Activities Featuring the Artist(s) and 3) Reach an Underserved Audience: At least one activity must engage an underserved audience—groups with limited access to the arts due to geography (such as rural audiences), economics (such as lower income audiences), disability, or lack of relevant content (such as families or school communities without ready access to children’s or all-ages programming).

These grants are federal funds that derive from the National Endowment for the Arts. A 1:1 match is required.

About Arts Midwest

We amplify Midwestern creativity, building community and opportunity across our region and beyond.

Arts Midwest advances creativity across our region, building unprecedented opportunity for everyone who calls this place home. We support, inform, and celebrate arts organizations and creative communities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, the Native Nations that share this geography, and beyond. As one of six nonprofit United States Regional Arts Organizations, we work to strengthen local arts and culture efforts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, state agencies, private funders, and many others. Together, we nourish the creative roots of the Midwest—and share our region’s transformative ideas with the world.

This year, we’re pleased to offer two tracks of funding: GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness, and GIG Fund.

GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness

The GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness is a grant of $2,000 – $15,000 for organizations of any budget size whose projects have an arts and wellness focus.  Funds may be used for performances, workshops, programs in clinical settings, creative aging programs, efforts that engage veterans in the arts, etc.  Applicants may only apply for one GIG Fund grant per year.

Arts Midwest recognizes the field of arts and wellness to be far-reaching and applicants should identify how their arts project addresses some element of health and wellness.

This round of GIG Fund grants is for supporting activities taking place between December 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. There are three requirements.

1) Engage a Professional Artist or Ensemble 2) Offer at Least Two Activities Featuring the Artist(s) and 3) Professional Development: With support from The Hearst Foundations, Arts Midwest will offer professional development opportunities to grantees to strengthen arts and wellness initiatives across the Midwest.

The AES Ohio Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation established in 1985 to invest in our communities and contribute to the improvement of the overall quality of life. The AES Ohio Foundation is the largest corporate foundation in the Dayton region in which every dollar is distributed locally. Grants are strategically focused at improving quality of life, enhancing sustainability of organizations, and engaging volunteerism in area partner organizations.

The AES Ohio Foundation focuses its contributions in the following strategic areas:

• Fueling poverty reduction
• Accelerating workforce development
• Supporting economic development and arts
• Investing in diversity, equity and inclusion

Funding priorities

The AES Ohio Foundation is dedicated to addressing basic needs within our community including food, housing, clothing, and improved health outcomes. We recognize that supporting education, employment readiness and investing in performing arts, visual and broadcast media significantly fosters a more vibrant community. We are leaders in creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community through investments that eliminate barriers for individuals who are striving to improve their own lives and support their families.

Power Grants

Power Grants create long-term community impact by supporting new and innovative programs in AES Ohio’s 24-county service territory.

The AES Ohio Foundation awarded $1.4 million in grants in 2024, with $822,000 in Power Grants. These investments support innovative growth initiatives with non-profit partners, benefiting people and communities in West Central Ohio.

Collectively these projects are transforming the landscape of the Miami Valley by removing barriers, improving health outcomes and fostering a more diverse and inclusive community.

Note to organizations seeking Power Grants

The AES Ohio Foundation is committed to awarding at least two Power Grants each year, one at the $100,000 level and one at the $50,000 level. Our commitment for Power Grants is for a one-year period.

Funding priorities

The AES Ohio Foundation is dedicated to addressing basic needs within our community including food, housing, clothing, and improved health outcomes. We recognize that supporting education, employment readiness and investing in performing arts, visual and broadcast media significantly fosters a more vibrant community. We are leaders in creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community through investments that eliminate barriers for individuals who are striving to improve their own lives and support their families.

The Foundation board’s decisions will be guided by the following funding priorities:

• Education & employment readiness
  • Build the skills of youth through after-school programming
  • Empower under-resourced high school students to graduate successfully and pursue credentials or degrees
  • Provide internships and skill-building opportunities for high school students
• Health & human services
  • Food insecurity, clothing needs and assistance programs
  • Behavioral health access to services
• The arts
  • Performing, visual, and broadcast media
  • Community outreach and interactive education through the arts
• Annual urgent community needs
  • Support for affordable housing solutions and preventing housing eviction

Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation Grant

General Information

The Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation is an independent private Foundation philanthropic organization originally established in 2004 by Elsa M. Heisel Sule, a native of Northern Kentucky and businesswoman in the television industry.

The Foundation’s governing body meets three times during the year to review applications for grants during April, July and October. The Foundation staff maintains offices in Greater Cincinnati, a central point in the tri-state area it serves, of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. 

Operations and Purpose

Grant Applications must be filed for each calendar year in which an organization desires a Grant of funds. Grants are usually awarded for one year unless specifically noted in writing as a multiyear grant or renewable. 

Program Priorities and Objective

The Trustee of the Foundation was originally instructed by Elsa Sule to make grants in the Greater Cincinnati and tri-state area with a focus on Education, Community, and the Arts with the following areas of interests:

• Education Success and Scholarships
• Health, Wellness and Scientific Research
• Children’s Welfare and Competitive Sports
• Fine and Performing Arts and Cultural Vibrancy
• Civic Public Affairs
• Animal Welfare and Preservation
• Environmental and Community Stewardship

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

As your leading community foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF), we believe the greatest changes happen when people come together – in partnership, collaboration and generosity. Our role is to align the right players and then coordinate their efforts and contributions to make the biggest impact. Together, we all rise.

GCF Mission: We connect generous donors with trusted nonprofits to create a vibrant Greater Cincinnati where every person has an opportunity to thrive.

The David C. Herriman Fund

About the David C. Herriman Fund

The David C. Herriman Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation was established by Mr. Herriman to facilitate grants to regional performing arts organizations through a competitive process.

Funding Focus

The Fund was created to support the arts in the Greater Cincinnati area of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, with a preference for the performing arts. Special consideration will be given to enhancing performance through support for bringing in performance artists, directors, choreographers, authors, musicians, etc. Proposals for the performance of new works and for the education of youth, specifically in the performing arts, are encouraged.

Purpose

In Mr. Herriman’s words, “to make possible what would otherwise be impossible” opportunities for arts organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area. 

In accordance with Mr. Herriman’s wishes of creating meaningful impact, this funding opportunity may provide one larger grant and up to two smaller grants. The total granted will not exceed $400,000. The ranges of these grants, depending on proposals under consideration, will be between $200,000 and $350,000 for the large grant and between $15,000 and $50,000 for the small grant(s).

Corporate Contributions

Community involvement and corporate citizenship are an example of Insperity’s mission in action. We are committed to helping the communities where we live and work because together, we know we can make great things happen.

Grants

Philanthropic grants are a strong part of our community outreach and aid institutions needing financial support to meet important service goals.

Event Sponsorship

Fundraising events are an important part of nonprofit support. Insperity provides event sponsorships to approved charities to assist them in meeting their financial and community goals.

Mid Atlantic Arts’ Central Appalachia Living Traditions: Folk and Traditional Arts Experiences grants fund public-facing projects and events in ARC-designated Appalachian counties of Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia that bring community members together around folk and traditional arts practice and cultural knowledge. Funded projects will encourage broad public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of living traditions and/or grow and disseminate artistic skill and cultural knowledge within the community. Because this program intends to diversify and expand the types of folk arts and cultural activities available in communities throughout the region, applications must be for new projects or projects that expand and/or diversify existing programming.  

Non-profit organizations and folk and traditional artists/practitioners in the ARC-designated Appalachian counties of Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia are eligible to apply for grant amounts from $1,000 to $10,000. No match is required. The majority of project activities must take place within the designated counties.  

Eligible project activities include but are not limited to hands-on learning experiences, workshops where traditional artistic practices are taught or demonstrated to the public or a group of peer practitioners, public art projects, exhibitions of folk and traditional art, a performance project or series, film/video, podcast, or archival collection or fieldwork with a significant public-facing component.  

Priority will be given to projects that engage multi-generational participants as well as projects occurring in communities identified as under-resourced or marginalized, including the most geographically remote counties in the region. A diverse group of folk and traditional arts specialists, including folklorists, cultural workers, artists, practitioners, and culture bearers in Central Appalachia will serve as panelists and provide program feedback informed by their role in application review.  

Capacity Building

Funding that Strengthens Organizational Ability

The Capacity Building program supports organizations' efforts to improve business practices, or add new knowledge and skills that forward organizations’ missions. Awards may fund technical assistance projects, planning or evaluation work, staff professional development opportunities, or other initiatives that upgrade an organization’s ability to do what they do. These internal projects help Ohio arts providers address new challenges, modernize practices and procedures, and strengthen their ability to serve their constituents.

How the Program Works

Capacity Building grants are six-month or one-year awards for . Funds may be used for a variety of expenses in an organization's efforts to improve practices, build skills, or engage in planning. Many grantees use Capacity Building funding to support outside consultant fees. Other allowable expenses include administrative expenses and planning and evaluation costs. The budget section of the Capacity Building application provides a full list of allowable expense areas.

Our Mission

To improve the lives of people with serious mental illness

Our Approach

We do this by accelerating innovative projects and leveraging partnerships for system change in Ohio and the Nation.

Our Vision

We envision a world where all regard mental wellness as an integral part of a healthy life and where recovery from mental illness is the expectation.

Our Core Values

We believe and practice:

• Faithfulness to the intent of our founder, Peg Morgan
• Innovation, collaboration, and  leadership
• Compassionate, respectful, open communication
• Efficient, effective stewardship and management
• Building and sharing knowledge
• Dignity of every person

Arts Grant

Peg envisioned a vibrant and enriching society with strong public awareness and engagement in the arts. And today, we work to bring her vision to life.

Peg’s Foundation provides grant opportunities for programs, special projects, performances, and operations within Summit County

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.

Background

The Reinberger Foundation was established by Mr. and Mrs. Reinberger in 1966. Mr. Reinberger left a substantial bequest to the Foundation at his death in 1968.

Our mission is “to help individuals move toward self-sufficiency as well as provide opportunities for enrichment in the communities we serve.” We are looking to provide support to organizations and programs that will further this mission.

Application Guidelines

We are seeking requests that will move our mission forward: to help underserved individuals move toward self-sufficiency as well as provide opportunities for enrichment in the communities we serve.

Program Area: Arts, Culture & Humanities

• Museums
• Visual Arts
• Performing Arts
• Media and Communication
• Arts Education
• Zoos
• Public Recreation

Grants are awarded in the following fields:Arts and CultureThe Nord Family Foundation supports a variety of organizations through its Arts and Culture program area, in fields of theater and performing arts, visual arts, and music. Amidst this variety of art forms, there is an underlying theme and priority for programs that engage children and youth, particularly those who may otherwise have limited access and exposure to the arts. We also provide significant operating support to arts organizations housed within the New Union Center for the Arts, a community venue that is owned and operated by the Foundation.Civic Affairs The Nord Family Foundation’s work in the Civic Affairs program area has an emphasis on the strengthening of communities and the economic empowerment of individuals. Much of our grantmaking supports community and economic development, commercial and neighborhood revitalization, workforce training, volunteerism/citizen engagement, and leadership development. The Civic Affairs program area also includes the Foundation’s capital grantmaking, comprising roughly 10% of our overall annual investments.EducationOver its history, the foundation has maintained a diverse portfolio of grants to public schools, charter schools and faith-based schools. The Nord Family Foundation seeks programs that are innovative and have the potential to be replicated in other regions we serve.  The foundation holds a particular place of honor for teachers and seeks to support opportunities for those with energy and love of their vocation. We work closely with school leaders and teachers to learn from them what they think constitute quality teaching and learning for young people. We discuss the outcomes at board meetings to see how our learning can be shared with others in the education community.  As Aristotle said... "Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well."  It is our intention to continue to explore new opportunities in this program area.Health and Social ServicesIn the Health and Social Services program area, The Nord Family Foundation funds organizations and programs that address a wide range of human needs and aspirations, serving people of all ages. Consistent with the Foundation’s mission, there is a core value of service to the under-resourced, ensuring access to basic services that support the overall well-being of children, youth, families and communities. Within this broad spectrum there is an emphasis on funding for basic needs such as food and shelter, as well as prenatal care and education, child welfare, youth services, access to primary health care and dental care.

Community Grants

The Erie County Community Foundation has established and continues a tradition of mindful, effective grant-making addressing a variety of needs throughout Erie County. These include but are not limited to, Arts and Humanities, Community Development, Education, Environment, Health and Social Services and Youth Services. 

The Foundation encourages proposals for projects that enhance collaboration among Erie County organizations, build organizational capacity, leverage additional resources, demonstrate sustainability, and yield substantial community benefits.

Huron Playhouse Fund for the Arts

The purpose of the Fund is to carry on the Huron Playhouse’s legacy of creative performing arts in Erie County and the surrounding area with a preference for supporting theatrical projects.

ArtsNEXT

Funding for Bold, Ground-Breaking Projects

The ArtsNEXT program provides competitive funding for innovative and experimental projects. Awards support big ideas that push boundaries, engage participants in unexpected ways, pilot new solutions to challenging problems, improve program design with calculated risk-taking, or result in the creation of new work. These forward-looking projects help define Ohio as an exciting, cutting-edge place to make, consume, and experience the arts.

Grant Awards: Applicants may generally request up to $25,000, though larger awards are possible in unique circumstances. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.

How the Program Works

ArtsNEXT grants are one-year awards for organizational project support. This program supports projects that allow an organization's programming to evolve creatively. Priority is given to projects designed to improve the accessibility, affordability, and/or diversity of arts experiences, as well as those demonstrating an appropriate amount of risk with a strong potential for success. Funds may be used for a wide variety of expenses, including artist fees, production expenses, marketing, planning, education, and program evaluation. The budget section of the ArtsNEXT application provides a full list of allowable expense areas.

ArtsNEXT applicants must identify which one of these three types of innovation best describes their proposed project. When possible, panels will review applications from each type of innovation together. Types include:

Incremental Innovation. Projects exhibiting incremental innovation make small changes or improvements over time that nonetheless go above and beyond the routine course corrections required of all successful programs, and can be thought of as "variations on a theme." Examples might include trying a new marketing strategy, hosting an event in a new type of venue, or building on existing programming in a sequential, logical way. Incremental innovations involve minimal risk.

Transferable Innovation. Projects that borrow, replicate, or adapt a proven practice from another industry, organization, or community are employing transferable innovation. Projects improve the design of an existing program or service by applying ideas that have been successful in another setting. Examples include producing a new activity that has been well-received elsewhere, modifying an idea from the private sector for use in a nonprofit setting, or experimenting with programming that has flourished in a different arts genre. Transferable innovation typically involves moderate risk.

Disruptive Innovation. These are the big ideas that often come to mind when the concept of innovation is discussed. Disruptive innovation interrupts current behavior rendering existing practices obsolete. These projects are rare, unproven, and revolutionary. Examples might include radically changing the delivery of an arts experience, upending expectations about participation in a particular genre or type of arts activity, or creating something entirely new in the arts and cultural field. Disruptive innovation is inherently an unusual and high-risk proposition.

Sample activities might include:

• exploring the intersection of the arts and healing with activities produced in partnership with a healthcare institution
• implementing a pilot program or activity based on a promising practice from another industry
• executing a partnership that brings local artistic assets together to activate a nontraditional space
• adapting an arts event successful in a suburban setting to a new urban or rural community or region
• developing and evaluating specialized programming to serve as a model for other organizations
• expanding a longtime activity to include an entirely new creative element
• revamping the way a successful arts activity is marketed to attract new and more diverse participants
• launching a locally-driven and authentic creative place-making initiative
• developing a technology to deliver arts experiences in new and more accessible ways
• using partnerships to change the delivery of an arts experience, making it more affordable

Central Appalachia Living Traditions (CALT) Experiences grants fund public-facing projects and events in Appalachian counties of Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia that bring community members together around traditional arts and cultural knowledge.

Funded projects will encourage broad public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of living traditions and/or grow and disseminate artistic skill and cultural knowledge within the community.

Non-profit organizations and individual folk and traditional artists/practitioners may apply. To be eligible, you must reside/be based in an Appalachian Regional Commission-designated county in Ohio, Virginia, or West Virginia. 

The majority of project activities must take place within ARC-designated counties. Eligible project activities may include:  

• hands-on learning experiences/workshops 
• public art projects 
• exhibitions 
• performances or performance series 
• film/video 
• radio broadcasts or podcasts 
• archival collections or fieldwork with a significant public-facing component  

ArtStart

General Project Support for Organizations

The ArtSTART program provides flexible, accessible funding to help organizations complete short-term projects addressing a wide variety of goals and objectives. Most awards support the programming of new or emerging organizations, including firsttime OAC applicants, as well as new or established organizations in areas not served by other arts providers.

Grant Awards: Applicants may request up to $5,000. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.

How the Program Works

ArtSTART grants are one-year awards for organizational project support. Funds may be used for a wide variety of expenses in an organization's overall operations, or in the execution of a given activity or suite of related activities. Many grantees use ArtSTART funds to support artistic or administrative expenses, but other allowable expenses include marketing, program planning, education, and evaluation. The budget section of the ArtSTART application provides a full list of allowable expense areas. 

Sample activities might include:

• dance performances at a community arts festival
• exhibition costs for a seasonal visual arts show
• printing costs for a community theatre's large print programs and sign language interpreter
• a weekly summer concert series
• production of a new literary journal
• an annual theatre production featuring local performers
• the yearlong suite of arts programming of a non-arts organization

Background

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program provides opportunities for children who come from economically disadvantaged families and attend low-performing schools to receive academic supports. School districts, schools, community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, city or county government agencies, for-profit corporations and other public or private entities are eligible for the 21st CCLC grant.

The Ohio Department of Education's Office of Future Forward Ohio administers the 21st CCLC grant. This federally funded grant program supports high-quality, out-of-school time learning opportunities and related activities for students who attend eligible schools. Recent flexibility from the U.S. Department of Education allows 21st CCLC funds to be used for expanded learning time programming during the school day, week or year in addition to out-of-school time. 

Annual Bidders' Conferences

The Ohio Department of Education hosts annual bidders' conferences to allow eligible applicants to learn more about the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) grant opportunity. This competitive grant provides quality after-school and summer learning programs – with an option for before-school programming - primarily for children of high poverty and low academic achievement. The programs focus on reading, mathematics, positive youth development, and parent and family engagement. Children participate in a wide array of enrichment activities in areas such as sports, science, technology, and arts and crafts.

Bidders' conference sessions are designed to give interested applicants the chance to ask questions regarding grant requirements, service expectations, and the application process. Eligible applicants include public and private school districts, county educational service centers, community and faith-based organizations, and businesses. Priority for funding is given to qualifying programs that serve small town or rural districts. Funds are awarded to high-quality programs for up to five years.

See FAQs for additional informations.

GIG Fund

Flexible support to help arts and culture organizations grow their capacity, fund artist engagements, and build community.

What is the GIG Fund?

The GIG Fund is a grant of $2,000-4,000 that supports creative projects and educational events in the Midwest. These funds help organizations present artists in their community by supporting programming and touring costs. The GIG Fund is a grant that supports Midwestern organizations that want to contract with a professional artist to offer activities to their community. 

Matching requirement

Organizations will be required to demonstrate matching funds on a 1:1 basis for the grant amount.

To demonstrate the match, your expenses should each be at least double your GIG Fund grant. Potential sources for the match include salaries and wages, in-kind contributions, volunteer hours, earned and contributed revenue (donations, ticket sales, other non-Federal grants), or cash from the applicant or partner organizations.

SUSTAINABILITY

General Operating Support for Large and Mid-Sized Organizations

The Sustainability program supports ongoing arts and cultural activities in all genres. Awards support the largest and most administratively sophisticated organizations in the state's arts and cultural ecosystem. This flexible and reliable funding supports a wide range of the state's arts providers as they make high-quality artistic experiences available to residents and visitors, positioning Ohio as a national leader in creativity, artistry, and cultural wealth.

Grant Awards: Grants vary in size and are determined by a formula that takes into account panel evaluation of each application and the applying organization’s operating income. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.

How the Program Works

Sustainability grants are four-year awards for organizational operating support. Funds may be used for a wide variety of expenses in the general operation of an organization. Many grantees use Sustainability funds to support general artistic or administrative expenses, and other allowable expenses include marketing, program planning, education, and evaluation.